A4P Guest: Is it a sin to watch a movie?

A4P: Hmm! Why are you asking this question? Are you looking for a list of things which are considered as a sin?

A4P Guest: Not exactly. I am a born again Christian and I love watching movies.

A4P: Hmm. So?

A4P Guest: I want to know if it is a sin for me to watch movies.

A4P: Why is it a question for you? Or, where is this question coming from? If you are enjoying what you’re doing, why do you feel guilty about it?

A4P Guest: I don’t think it is my feeling that tells me what is right and what is wrong. Correct me if I am wrong.

A4P: You’re absolutely correct! Other than your feeling, what is there in you that is telling you to do or not to do things, like watching a movie?

A4P Guest: I mean, my Christianity?

A4P: Oh! So, your Christianity is in you and it tells you what to do and what not to do?

A4P Guest: Not like that but you know, what is an appropriate thing for me to do as a Christian.

A4P: Good! So, you thought watching movies was not an appropriate thing for you to do?

A4P Guest: I don’t know. That is why I am asking.

A4P: No, you do know. You’re asking because something is asking you, “Is this thing teaching you to be a good Christian” kind of question.

A4P Guest: YES!

A4P: Good! So, give me examples, like, what were you watching on a screen when your spirit last posed to you that kind of question?

A4P Guest: You know.

A4P: No, I don’t know. It’s been many years since I’ve watched movies. So, I don’t know what is on a screen today. I mean, I may be able to accurately guess, if you want me.

A4P Guest: Yes, guess.

A4P: Sure! Like homosexual couples kissing and doing their thing and a couple making out in a train station or behind a car but maybe not showing the whole thing (because movie directors know that your brain naturally “fills-in-the-blanks”). Somebody killing another human being and the good guy avenging the bad guy. Or, China trying to get ahead of America and America is winning. Or, a mighty woman putting down five big guys with her bear hands and at the end sleeping with one or two of them, or, how a woman can be a powerful CIA spy by being sexually promiscuous, kinds of movies.

A4P Guest: Something similar.

A4P: So, have you ever asked yourself why you watch those movies?

A4P Guest: To laugh and relax, you know?

A4P: No, I don’t know.

My friend, what killed Jesus on the cross is not the nails but my sin. Jesus died to free me from sin, all kinds of sins. And a Christian cannot relax and have fun with the very things that nailed Jesus on the cross, unless he/she is deceived into thinking that those movies are teaching them “how to live in America” or “how to do life in this world in a smart way.”

You see, my friend, if you are indeed a born-again Christian, your first and last identity in this life is a Christian. The rest of things you do, like school, hobbies, passion, profession or careers are not your identities but things you do as you pass through this life as a sojourner.

This is how the Bible teaches us,

“Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 ASV

Paul writes: “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” Ephesians 4:1 NASB

What is our calling?

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 NASB

So, maybe, the Spirit of God who indwells you is nudging you to read and study His words so you find His strength and grace that teaches and enables you to say “no” to the things of this world and say “yes” to the things of God as the Bible teaches us:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:11-14 NASB

King David sang, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 NIV

So, I encourage you to hide the word of God in your heart always so it lightens your way so you won’t find yourself in a place where you  ask, “Is this a sin for me to do” kind of question because the light will show you clearly what “that thing” really is.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 NASB

Focus on cultivating and strengthening your relationship with the Holy Spirit as your read, study and meditate the word of God, and then “Is it a sin” kind of question will leave your mind since you know without any doubt what sin is.

Sorry if I said too much or totally missed your question. If I didn’t address your question, ask me again in a little different way so I won’t miss your question again.

A4P Guest: No! You told me what I needed to hear. ///